Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Meldrick Taylor

Fight Facts
Date: 17-March-1990
Venue: Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Title: IBF - WBC Light- Welterweight
Result: Julio Cesar Chavez TKO 12
Referee: Richard Steele

Going into the bout staged at the Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1990, both fighters were undefeated. Taylor the IBF light welterweight champion would take on Mexican legend and WBC light welterweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez. At the time the bout was highly anticipated with both fighters in their prime many believed Taylor had a real chance to stop the formidable reign of Chavez.

Meldrick Taylor, 24-0-1, (15) was a former Olympic gold medallist who fast became a fan favourite as a pro. Meldrick with the ring alkies “The Kid” had all the skill in the world, fast hand speed with dazzling combinations he was a very exciting fighter to watch. Being from Philadelphia the young Taylor adopted the traditional Philly mentality to stand and fight, rather than box.

Julio Cesar Chavez 68-0, (55) was at the time the reigning pound for pound king, and carried the persona he was fighting for his nation. His record was the longest unbeaten streak of any fighter over the past 78 years and gave him an aura of invincibility.

Taylor was dominant in the early rounds of the fight and built up an early lead on the scorecards. Throwing blistering combinations then stepping to the side out of harm’s way, on occasion the 24 year-old stood in front of Chavez getting the better of the exchanges with hard crushing shots to the head.

Through the middle rounds Taylor continued the frantic pace, with his relentless attack he continued to win the rounds, however like an animal hunting its prey Chavez stood resolute and although loosing almost every round the 27 year-old mexican was landing hurtful blows, evident in the grotesquely swollen face of Taylor.

Well ahead on the scorecards all Taylor required was to stay on his feet to win, the advice should have been to box and move, stay away from danger, but the advice relayed from his corner was that he needed the round “It all hinges on this round Meldrick, the fight is hanging on this round” said the corner.

Both fighters entered the last and what would become one of the most controversial rounds in the sports history. With only 16 seconds remaining in the fight Chavez caught a visibly exhausted Taylor with an overhand right and sending him to the canvas. At the count of six and with 11 seconds on the clock Taylor was on his feet. Referee Richard Steele continued the count, and then with only 6 seconds on the clock he asked Taylor if he was good to continue, rather than give the customary gloves up signal Taylor gave a slight nod of the head to signal he was good to continue. However Steele repeated the question and before finishing he waved the fight off with only 4 seconds remaining in the fight.

An incensed Lou Duva (Taylor’s Trainer) climbed into the ring while all at ringside and commentary where shocked with the decision to stop such an important fight with only seconds remaining to the final bell.

During a ringside interview Steele said “I stopped the fight because Meldrick had taken a lot of hard shots and was in no fit state to continue. I don’t care about the time, when I see a man has had enough I am stopping the fight, I’m the referee not the timekeeper”

During video replays of the fight Lou Duva was criticised for Jumping onto the ring apron distracting Taylor as Steele was asking him if he was all right to continue, Referee stele was also criticised for not noticing the flashing red light directly behind Taylor as he administered the count, the red light indicated the fight was in the last 10 seconds.

Ring Magazine fight of the year 1990
Fight of the Decade
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